September 1st (2016) marks the beginning of the second annual 30 Paintings in 30 Days studio challenge. It's pretty much just like it sounds: I'm attempting to create one painting a day, for 30 days straight.

This challenge is about setting aside a solid, intensive month in the studio just to experiment. No commissions, no large-scale work, no new series development—just me, my easel, a ton of blank canvases, and some new ideas.

There are sure to be some animal in the mix this year, because my love of fauna will never wane. But I'll also be pushing myself to step outside that artistic comfort zone and play with some new subjects and painting styles.

If you followed last year's challenge, you know it was like nothing I've ever attempted to do as an artist. By packing about about a year and a half worth of work into a single month last September, I learned a lot about myself personally and professionally...as the challenge definitely serves to test one's metal.

I also learned that my husband does actually know how to do the laundry in an emergency situation. Which is a personal bonus of epic proportions.

So I'm committing to this substantial task again—here, in writing, with you as my witness, before I totally chicken out—just to see what else it has to teach me.

Here's how the challenge will work:

- I'll be posting a painting every day in the 30/30 PAINTINGS gallery. At any time during the challenge you can go the gallery and see all the new work.